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Hemp News, Laws & Product Updates

A curated news hub focused on hemp regulation and policy changes, cannabinoids (CBD/Delta-8/Delta-9/hemp-derived THC), lab testing and COAs, product safety, brands, and industry trends.

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https://hightimes.com/

Indiana Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Bill Sent to Governor

Last week, a psilocybin research bill in Indiana was sent to the desk of Gov. Eric Holcomb. The bill was recently passed in the Senate in February (Senate Bill 139), followed by the House Public Health Committee shortly afterwards. Following the end of the 2024 legislative session on March 8, bill sponsor Sen. Ed Charbonneau published a press release about his pride in working toward passing three different bills. The first would help make child care more affordable for Indianans, and the second included an expansion to health plans to include coverage for searching biomarkers for diagnosis or condition treatment.  However, the third bill includes a mention of SB-139. “Another bill I worked on this session was Senate Bill 139, which would have established a fund to aid Indiana research institutions in studying the potential use of psilocybin in treating mental health and other medical conditions, especially in veterans and first responders,” Charbonneau wrote. “While SB 139 did not make it through the legislative process, the language was added to House Enrolled Act 1259, which would also expand the number of people eligible to provide health care services.” Now the bill is being sent to the desk of Gov. Holcomb for final review. If SB-139 became law, it would create a therapeutic psilocybin research fund that would be managed by the Indiana Department of Health. The fund would provide financial assistance to research institutions to study psilocybin as a method of treating mental health or other conditions. The bill currently states conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, chronic pain, migraines, alcohol use disorder, and tobacco use disorder. Additionally, it works to compare “the efficacy of psilocybin as a treatment for mental health and other medical conditions…with the efficacy of other current treatment options for mental health and other medical conditions.” One requirement of institutions that apply to research psilocybin would include the use of veterans or first responders in their study as they “Evaluate and determine whether psilocybin is an effective treatment for mental health and other medical conditions.” After the study is concluded, the researchers would then submit a report of their findings to the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission, and Human Services, as well as “state department and division of mental health and addiction.” If passed, these processes to organize applications would begin starting on July 1, 2024. Last year in November, the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services held its last meeting and issued a report recommending that legislators consider developing a psilocybin pilot program in 2024 “that strikes a balance between access, research, and prudence.” At the meeting, Charbonneau explained that he’s already spoken with educational institutions that are interested in studying psilocybin. “I have had discussions with both [Indiana University] Health and with Purdue University,” said Charbonneau. “I spoke to 150 pharmacy students at Purdue, and afterward had a chance to speak with the dean of the pharmacy program…and he texted Dr. Jerome Adams, who’s now at Purdue University.” Adams previously served as U.S. surgeon general under former President Donald Trump. The report made a distinction between medical cannabis and psilocybin, and described psilocybin-assisted therapy as more beneficial. “Many people conflate increased access to psilocybin assisted therapy with the issue of increased access to medical and recreational cannabis,” the report said. “However, the committee hearing made it clear that the evidence for psilocybin assisted therapy is promising and significantly more robust and the two issues are unrelated.” Indiana’s neighboring states of Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio all have some form of cannabis legalization now. The only remaining state is Kentucky to the south, which currently has legalized medical cannabis but won’t officially launch until 2025. However, Sen. J.D. Ford told WFYI Indianapolis in January that the lack of progress is due to legislators refusing to discuss legalization. “You’ve got the elected officials who are unwilling to have the conversation and you’ve got some of these other powerful lobbying groups that are continuing to block conversation, block bills from getting a committee hearing,” Ford said. In a press event in January, Senate Pro Tempore Rodric Bray shut down inquiries from reporters regarding cannabis decriminalization or legalization. “Are we going to legalize cannabis this session? That’s not going to be the case,” Bray said.  Previously in 2019, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb has previously stated that he will not take action on any cannabis legalization bills until it has been legalized on the federal level. “If the law changed, we would look at all the positive or adverse impacts it would have,” Holcomb said. “I’m not convinced other states have made a wise decision.” In 2023, he did admit that decriminalizing cannabis in small amounts makes sense. “I do not believe that simple possession at certain limits should derail someone’s life,” Holcomb said.
https://hightimes.com/

Utah Legislature Passes Bill To Allow Medical Use of Shrooms, MDMA

The Utah Senate and House unanimously approved a bill that would establish a pilot program for hospitals to administer psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatment, sending it to the governor. A bill introduced by Senate Majority Whip Kirk Cullimore (R) and House Speaker Pro Tempore James Dunnigan (R), earlier this month, Senate Bill 266, would create a pilot program to explore psilocybin and MDMA as alternative treatments in hospitals in Utah. The bill was sent to the desk of Utah Gov. Spencer Cox (R) this week where it awaits his signature. Since hospitals and universities generally default to federal regulations, it’s unclear how the bill would pan out as psilocybin and MDMA remain schedule I drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). “The bill is proposing, really, an alternate pathway, ” Rep. Raymond Ward (R) said before the House vote this month. “That’s why I say it’s a philosophical question. Do you think that these medicines really only should always just go through this one pathway, the FDA first and then be allowed to be used? Or do you think there should be any other alternate pathway whereby a patient might be given these medications in a controlled setting from some of our best physicians, but where we really do not yet have all of the data that we normally would have before we gave them to patients?” Per the bill, psilocybin and MDMA would be administered by a privately owned, non-profit health care system with at least 15 licensed hospitals, or as part of medical programs operated by higher level institutions of learning. “A healthcare system may develop a behavioral health treatment program that includes a treatment” with psilocybin and MDMA that it “determines is supported by a broad collection of scientific and medical research,” the bill reads. The bill would amend Laws of Utah 2023, Chapter 303, and enact 58-37-3.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953. Utah voters approved medical cannabis in 2018, and the state is well on its way towards amending laws surrounding psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. Any hospital that participates in the psychedelics therapy pilot program would need to submit a report to the Utah Legislature by July 1, 2026, detailing which drugs are being utilized, the outcomes of patients in treating their conditions, and any potential side effects. If passed, the bill would take effect on May 1, 2024 and sunset after three years. Two years ago, Gov. Spencer Cox (R) signed into law a bill that created a task force to study and make recommendations on the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs and possible regulations for their lawful use. Rep. Brady Brammer (R), who sponsored the previously enacted psychedelics task force legislation, House Bill 167, said psychedelics represent “one of the few areas of research where we see that there are curative possibilities for mental health, particularly related to PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.” “This is another tool in our toolbox,” he said. “We’ve done the task force. They’ve come back with their reports. And now we have this clinical trial of sorts that allows for some of the patients to get it under significant observation with the appropriate guardrails.” Meanwhile, last November in Provo—a city with nearly 90% of residents who are Mormon, or Latter-Day Saints—a mushroom treatment center, called Singularism, opened its doors. Singularism touted freedom of religion in order to use psilocybin mushrooms but immediately attracted the wrath of the City of Provo, whose officials appeared to state that the center wouldn’t last long. A longshot bill that would legalize psilocybin mushrooms in Utah was introduced last February. Senate Minority Leader Luz Escamilla, (D-Salt Lake City) unveiled Senate Bill 200 on Feb. 9, a bill that would legalize psilocybin mushrooms for medical use in Utah. Deseret News reports that SB 200 would set up a program that mirrors the program behind Utah’s medical cannabis market. Utah’s compromise bill, the Utah Medical Cannabis Act, which was passed in 2018 allows patients with a healthcare provider’s verification, to purchase medical cannabis. The bill would allow Utahns ages 21 and older to receive a psilocybin-assisted treatment directly from a psilocybin therapy provider. Qualifying conditions would include depression or anxiety if the patient has tried at least one other treatment route, PTSD, and people who are receiving hospice care. Currently in Utah, possession of psilocybin can result in a prison sentence of up to 10 years or a $5,000 in fine. The state has come a long way in terms of cannabis and psychedelic reform, with a Mormon supermajority that has dominated its legislature for decades.
https://hightimes.com/

California’s Dopeness Transcends The Lines of The Ruling Class, Failed Domestic Policy

As the Eastern Hemisphere gathers in Spain to celebrate the continuing global process on the heels of Germany’s move to legalize cannabis, U.S. federal policy is giving these fresh markets a chance to carve out a chunk of the market long-term.  There is a major debate to be had around the idea that these markets are just local incubators for the distribution mechanisms that will eventually distribute California-grown cannabis. The naysayers would say the industry has already reshaped in ways we couldn’t have expected when Cali was truly king. Is it still? Well, that is certainly the core question of this week’s WEIRDOS. I would argue the answer is an emphatic yes. International markets blasting by the U.S. market is not California’s fault it’s a wider domestic issue. The world’s fifth largest economy in general would be crushing it on exports 30 years into its legal market had it been given the opportunity. Those who claim CA has already missed the mark are like grifter consultants trying to convince their clients abroad the storm is never coming but it is. We promise. Timelines? We have less guarantees on those.  It’s not cultural appropriation, California is certainly willing to share game and the institutional knowledge of true commercial cultivation; nobody is stealing it. It’s more of a cultural permeation of the things that actually make money in regulated cannabis markets. People want these proven best practices, Californians learned a lot of lessons the hard way. Sure there are some who would like to see others suffer like they did but there are also plenty of people who are willing to share what they have learned.  Shoutouts to Florida we all love OG Kush, but most of the commercially viable cannabis genetics of the modern era come from California. This isn’t any one part of the state, The hills of The Emerald Triangle gave us Zkittelz, Sacramento gave us Biscotti, much of the most famous Compound flavors came out of San Francisco, and J-Beey’s work in LA has flooded the world. While flooded is a loaded word in cannabis generally signifying a loss of value for something good, we can’t name a strain from other places that even remotely conquered a section of the market like Ice Cream Cake. There were popular strains at the end of the 2000s obviously but they were never able to hit the scale of modern strains can be cultivated at.  As markets outside the U.S. have popped off, they have been excited to absorb California hitters into the mix. Sometimes in other states they still have a chip over the big dog out west. They’re going to do it their way. Hence, every state so far has legalized marijuana in a manner they see fit because they believe the commies out west messed up legalization. Not the case abroad. From Bangkok to Barcelona, operators are thrilled to team up with California experts. In 2023 we saw more brands from the Golden State appear abroad than ever. Not everyone leaving California sucked and was a failure. Some people were just fed up with what’s happening here. Between the taxes, policy, and a bunch of other stuff, plenty of people had their reasons for leaving. Many are living what they consider a better quality of life after putting their skills to work in new markets where they could big dog it. Some people also went to other markets to crush without leaving home behind. Alien Labs, Preferred Gardens and Fig Farms are a few great examples of what the best American multistate operators have to offer.  A bunch of people who weren’t good operators and did fail left the state and did well. They refined their charlatan tactics in California but eventually were figured out. Once there weren’t any suckers left at home to prey on they ventured out to places like New York and Oklahoma, both seemed to have gotten a disproportionate amount of cannabis folks California would like to get. The real high-level scammers went international. On a couple of occasions, they convinced big Euro money to invest in bullshit and skipped off with the cash.  If California is not popping anymore, why do so many of the biggest international cannabis brands make their way here eventually? The Englishmen at Cali-X and The Ten Co. have done very well in the elite flower market on both sides of the pond. This month’s Piattella drop from Uncle’s Farm in collaboration with Kalya Extracts is another great example of someone massive beginning to step their toes in California. They won’t be the last. As more and more brands pop off in these new markets, the question will become: can these new killers make it in California? Without a doubt, some of them will. 
https://hightimes.com/

The Magical World of Mushroom Gummies & Mushroom Chocolate

Mushrooms have been a part of our human experience for millennia. In fact, there are over 14,000 known mushroom species: some are a tasty food source, some are deadly poison, some are used for natural medicine, and some are loved for their wild, psychotropic effects. Because of this breadth of benefits, new and exciting mushroom products are still popping up every year. Recently, legal psychotropic mushroom products have entered the market, and among the most popular of these items are mushroom gummies and mushroom chocolates. When we generally think about the term, “magic mushrooms,” we’re talking about psilocybin and amanita muscaria shrooms. These spacey shrooms are embraced for the psychedelic experience they provide, though not necessarily by Johnny Law. Fortunately, a few enterprising brands have found a way to deliver a similar psychotropic experience with legal mushrooms and other natural ingredients. TRĒ House is a Southern California-based brand that entered the legal recreational market with their hard-hitting, hemp-derived THC products. But in recent years, they’ve also introduced a line of magic mushroom items, including mushroom gummies and mushroom chocolate bars. The “magic” in these mushrooms is a proprietary blend of adaptogenic and nootropic mushrooms, combined with a pre-blend of tryptamines. This legal combo of natural ingredients delivers massive effects, highlighted by an electro-tastic head buzz. Hard-hitting TRĒ House Magic Mushroom Gummies are vegan and made with all-natural ingredients. These popular mushroom gummies come in a variety of delicious flavors:  Blue Raspberry Magic Mushroom Gummies Juicy Mango Magic Mushroom Gummies Sour Apple Magic Mushroom Gummies Sour Tropical Magic Mushroom Gummies Strawberry Dream Magic Mushroom Gummies Watermelon Wonder Magic Mushroom Gummies Each of these mushroom gummies comes loaded with the aforementioned blend of adaptogenic mushrooms, nootropic mushrooms, and tryptamines. And with a gush of juicy flavors in every gummy bite, these mushroom gummies are as tasty as they are potent. TRĒ House recommends taking 1–3 mushroom gummies for your first serving, to get a feel for them. This should provide a subtle, but noticeable effect. Take 4–6 mushroom gummies for a solid buzz. And, for the adventurers out there, 7+ mushroom gummies should provide a stairway to the stars! In addition to mushroom gummies, TRĒ House also offers four creamy Magic Mushroom Chocolate Bars: Chocolate Milk, Churro Milk, Cookies & Cream, and Fruity Cereal. These segmented shroom bars are dosed almost identically to the magic mushroom gummies: 1–3 squares for low dosage effects, 4–6 squares for a solid buzz, and 7+ squares for mind-melting fun. TRĒ House’s new Magic Mushroom Syrups come in two flavors: Strawberry Gelato Magic Mushroom Syrup and Galaxy Grape Magic Mushroom Syrup. These syrups are tasty enough to take on their own (a capful should do you!) or can mixed into your favorite beverage. The advantage of syrups over edibles, like mushroom gummies or chocolates, is that they take less time to break down in your digestive system, which means quicker effects for you! Another new mushroom product from TRĒ House is their magic mushroom vape pen line. These vape pens come in four flavors:  Apple Tart Magic Mushroom Vape Pen Blue Jello Magic Mushroom Vape Pen Mango Smoothie Magic Mushroom Vape Pen Pink Lemonade Magic Mushroom Vape Pen These high-potency pens come loaded with two grams of vape juice, delivering the quickest-hitting effects of any mushroom products. While edibles, such as mushroom gummies, can take 30 minutes to two hours to kick in, mushroom vapes can take effect in just a few minutes. Of the products listed above, mushroom gummies and chocolates take the longest to kick in, though they also have the longest-lasting effects. Mushroom vapes, on the other hand, hit the user fairly quickly, but their effects are the shortest-lived. Mushroom syrups live somewhere in the middle. Here’s a handy comparison table for mushroom gummies and other types of mushroom products. *Experiences may differ depending on strength (mg) of product and personal bioavailability factors, including height, weight, body mass, and tolerance. Mushrooms aren’t just for recreation, of course. Beyond the magical mushies used in the mushroom gummies and other products above, there are also a great number of mushrooms that produce a variety of wellness benefits. Adaptogenic mushrooms, like the reishi mushroom, reduce everyday stress on the mind and body, in addition to health-boosting nutrients. Nootropic mushrooms, like lion’s mane mushrooms, serve as focus-friendly brain boosters, and bring with them a variety of wellness benefits, as well. California-based CBDfx is largely known for their best-selling CBD and delta-9 products. Like TRĒ House, they also offer a line of mushroom products. But unlike the “magic” mushroom gummies and other items listed above, CBDfx’s mushroom products are designed to improve overall health and wellness. Their CBD Mushroom Gummies for Wellness contain seven potent adaptogenic and nootropic mushrooms, including maitake, reishi, lion’s mane, turkey tail, cordyceps, chaga, and shiitake mushrooms, as well as 50mg of CBD in each mushroom gummy serving. CBD, or cannabidiol, is one of the two main cannabinoid compounds found in the cannabis plant (along with THC). CBD is non-intoxicating and produces a wide variety of wellness benefits, thanks to its interaction with the body’s endocannabinoid system. This health-boosting compound is the perfect complement to adaptogenic and nootropic mushrooms, as in CBDfx CBD Mushroom Gummies. When you shop for mushroom gummies and other mushroom items, make sure to find a retailer that carries trusted brands, such as TRĒ House and CBDfx. CBD.co offers a wide variety of mushroom gummies and chocolates, as well as CBD gummies and other hemp supplements. As you shop, make sure to check your product for a third-party lab report, called a Certificate of Analysis, which not only tells you what ingredients are in your mushroom gummies, but also alerts you to the presence of any pesticides or other toxins. The mushroom gummies and other items in this article all come with a Certificate of Analysis. As you’ve seen, mushrooms offer a diverse range of benefits, including triptastic recreational effects as well as a bounty of wellness-boosting properties. Mushroom gummies, chocolates, and other such products are a great—and tasty—way to enjoy these special shrooms. Whether you’re launching into space on a magical mushroom gummy adventure or minding your health with a wellness gummy, we wish you the very best.
https://hightimes.com/

Hawaii Lawmakers Amend Automatic MJ Expungement Bill to Single-County Pilot Program

Hawaii lawmakers are pressing ahead with an updated cannabis legalization plan, and while the Aloha State could very well be one of the next to embrace adult-use reform, the original plan is already seeing some substantial shifts. Namely, it appears that the Senate is looking to significantly scale back some of the actions surrounding social equity. The original measure, passed by the House last week, would have automatically expunged tens of thousands of arrest and conviction records for low-level cannabis convictions in the state. On Tuesday, a Hawaiian Senate panel has instead amended the proposal to a single-county pilot program, first reported by Marijuana Moment. Similar to the recreational legalization plan, which state lawmakers are separately working to advance, this move is based on plans from Hawaii Attorney General Anne Lopez.  “Instead of the bill’s statewide automatic expungement program for arrests and convictions,” said Sen. Karl Rhodes (D), chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee. “I propose that we adopt the attorney general’s pilot program for state-initiated expungement of marijuana possession arrests.” The measure would also only apply to criminal cases “terminated with a final disposition other than a conviction,”  Back in November 2023, Lopez released her own legalization plan, which the most recent legislation passed by the Senate primarily pulls from. While many lawmakers have praised the new bill and the plan it’s based upon, advocates have expressed concern around the bill’s creation of additional law enforcement protocols. Among other provisions, the legislation proposes a THC blood limit for drivers (even though THC metabolites can be detected in the body days or even weeks after consumption), the creation of a cannabis enforcement unit within the Department of Law Enforcement and adds eight positions in a drug nuisance abatement unit in the AG’s office. Rhodes suggested that the pilot program could be located in Hawaii County, the states’ second most populous county, comprising the Big Island and hosting about 14% of the state’s total population. According to bill sponsor Rep. David Tarnas (D), the original legislation would have made approximately 30,000 people eligible for expungements. Though, if the amendments from the AG’s office remain in place, HB 1595’s ultimate impact would be far smaller.  Lopez’s office issued a statement saying that, without these amendments, the department “reiterates its strong opposition to this bill.” “Instead of the bill in its current form, the Department proposes a pilot project whereby certain individuals who have been arrested solely for marijuana possession…and whose arrest resulted in a non-conviction disposition, have the arrest expunged via a state-initiated process,” the department said in a statement. It continues, arguing that limiting the expungement process to one county would keep the case load manageable using its existing resources and suggested an approximate 14-month duration for the program. “Results of the pilot project could then be used to evaluate the project’s effectiveness, utility, and efficiency, and to allow the Data Center to make more informed recommendations for future efforts,” the department said. Hawaii has already introduced cannabis decriminalization, in turn ushering in a record sealing process from the courts, though advocates attest that the process isn’t accessible and can be challenging to navigate.  The original bill would have automated the process, ensuring that the attorney general’s office “issue, without petition and on the department’s own initiative, an expungement order annulling, canceling, and rescinding all criminal records, including records of arrest and any records of conviction” for crimes of possessing up to three grams of cannabis. The process would have included records for civil violations, petty misdemeanor convictions, juvenile convictions, arrests and convictions, along with any pending charges. The prior version would have also required the Hawaii Criminal Justice Data Center to identify all eligible cases within 30 days of the bill’s enactment, providing that information in biennial reports to the attorney general’s office, county prosecuting attorneys, county police departments and each state court.  After receiving those lists, the attorney general’s office would have 60 days to issue expungement orders for the records under the previous version. Within one year of receiving those orders, the judiciary would finish the job. Some advocates emphasized that the passing of an expungement process in the state was monumental despite the narrower scope. “This is a huge step forward that will encourage Gov. Green to amplify relief for those with cannabis records through his clemency powers, something the Hawai’i legislature has already urged him to do,” said Frank Stiefel, senior policy associate for the Last Prisoner Project. Others like Karen O’Keefe, director of state policies for Marijuana Policy Project, said that the changes “represent a severe blow to cannabis justice.” “An economic life sentence is an outrageously disproportionate penalty for possessing a substance that most Hawaii residents—and the Hawai’i Senate—believe should be legal,” O’Keefe told Marijuana Moment. “Testimony at the House Judiciary Committee’s informational briefing made it clear Hawai’i can and should remove this stigma which derails so many lives.” The changes to HB 1595 come fresh off the Senate’s passing of SB 3335, which would allow adults over the age of 21 to possess up to an ounce of cannabis and up to five grams of cannabis concentrates, along with establishing a recreational cannabis sales framework.  That bill now heads to the state’s more conservative House for consideration, which has historically been resistant to adult-use cannabis policies.
https://hightimes.com/

Massachusetts Governor Announces Plan To Pardon Cannabis Misdemeanors

Calling it a “nation-leading effort,” Massachusetts Gov. Maura T. Healey on Wednesday announced her intention to take executive action to pardon misdemeanor marijuana possession convictions in the commonwealth.  If it is approved by the “Governor’s Council,” Healey’s office said it “would be the most comprehensive action by a governor since President Joe Biden pardoned federal marijuana possession convictions and called on governors to take similar actions in their states,” and “could impact hundreds of thousands of people.” Per the official state website, the Massachhuestts Governor’s Council is “composed of eight individuals elected from districts, and the Lieutenant Governor who serves ex officio,” and it “provides advice and consent on gubernatorial appointments, pardons and commutations, and warrants for the state treasury.” The governor’s office said that, if approved, the pardon “will apply to all eligible convictions, and most people will not need to take any action to have their criminal records updated,” as well as “to all adult Massachusetts state court misdemeanor convictions before March 13, 2024 for possession of marijuana (sometimes referred to as possession of a “Class D substance”).” “Nobody should face barriers to getting a job, housing or an education because of an old misdemeanor marijuana conviction that they would not be charged for today,” Healey, a Democrat who is serving her first term after being elected in 2022, said in a statement on Tuesday. “We’re taking this nation-leading action as part of our commitment to using the clemency process to advance fairness and equity in our criminal justice system. We’re grateful for President Biden’s leadership on this at the federal level and proud to answer his call to take action in the states.”  Other top state officials in Massachusetts, including Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll, hailed the announcement of the pardon. “Marijuana laws have significantly changed over the past decade, and it’s essential that our criminal justice system adjusts with them. Governor Healey’s proposed pardon represents an important step toward righting historic wrongs, particularly around our country’s misguided War on Drugs,” said Driscoll. “We thank the Governor’s Council for their careful consideration of this recommendation and look forward to continuing our progress to make Massachusetts a more fair and equitable home for all.”  Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell applauded the “Healey-Driscoll administration’s efforts to rectify historic racial disparities, including with this proposed pardon, and President Biden’s leadership at the federal level on the same issue.” “Convictions for simple marijuana possession – which someone could not be charged with today – have led to the disproportionate incarceration of Black and brown people and made it nearly impossible for them to obtain a job, housing, educational opportunities and more. As the AG’s Office also works to address injustice and close the racial wealth gap, this proposed pardon meaningfully moves the Commonwealth in the right direction,” the attorney general said. Democratic House Speaker Ronald J. Mariano, meanwhile, said the “decision from Governor Healey to pardon certain marijuana convictions is the right one, as it is another step towards rectifying decades of injustices stemming from the criminalization of cannabis.” “This announcement is consistent with the Legislature’s intent during the passage of the 2018 criminal justice reform law, which was updated in 2022 when the Legislature passed further cannabis reforms, that allowed residents to seek expungements for convictions that are no longer crimes following voter-approved reforms,” Mariano said.  As the statements from Healey and other officials referenced, the pardon takes a cue from President Biden, who in the fall of 2022 issued a pardon to thousands of Americans who were convicted of violating federal cannabis laws. “Sending people to prison for possessing marijuana has upended too many lives and incarcerated people for conduct that many states no longer prohibit,” Biden said in a statement then. “Criminal records for marijuana possession have also imposed needless barriers to employment, housing, and educational opportunities. And while white and Black and brown people use marijuana at similar rates, Black and brown people have been arrested, prosecuted, and convicted at disproportionate rates.” At the time, the president also urged governors to take their own action to clear the records of such individuals at the state level. “In October 2022, President Biden issued a presidential proclamation that pardoned many federal and D.C. offenses for simple marijuana possession offenses. In December 2023, the President expanded that pardon to include more offenses He also issued a call to Governors to take action to pardon marijuana convictions in their states and, in the State of the Union last week, the President directed his Cabinet to review the federal classification of marijuana,” Healey’s office explained. “Governor Healey has already taken historic action on pardons. She became the first Massachusetts Governor in decades to recommend pardons in her first year in office. She has pardoned a total of 13 people to date. She also issued new clemency guidelines to center fairness and equity in the criminal justice system.”
https://hightimes.com/

Minnesota To Crack Down on Illegal Flower Sales, Including Full-Strength Hemp

Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) announced Tuesday that it will begin to crack down on the illegal sales of cannabis flower across Minnesota as the state’s adult-use market takes form. The Star-Tribune reports that the OCM entered into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) to add inspection capacity for illegal sales of cannabis flower. Minnesota is the 23rd state in the nation to legalize adult-use cannabis for people 21 and older. In doing so, the state also legalized the sale of hemp-derived cannabinoid consumer products, a unique provision, but selling raw cannabis flower is currently illegal because OCM has not yet issued any cannabis business licenses, and hemp sellers must also be licensed.  When Minnesota legalized adult-use cannabis, the Minnesota Legislature included statutory provisions, Minnesota Statutes, chapter 152.0264, making the sale of cannabis illegal until a business is licensed by OCM. As seen in many other states, many retailers have taken advantage of the legal loopholes regarding hemp derivatives, but the state is pushing back against unlicensed businesses. Just a week ago, on March 7, the OCM issued an enforcement notice designed to warn retailers about selling full-strength hemp products. The OCM stated that it has received complaints of retailers selling full-strength cannabis flower under the guise of being hemp. Hemp is legal only within THC limits specified by state and federal law. The OCM, in alignment with federal law regarding hemp under 7 CFR 990.1, will consider the total concentration of THC post-decarboxylation—the process that converts THCA to delta-9 THC to produce an intoxicating effect. The examination of raw flower products will include reviewing the certificate of analysis. Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 342 defines Minnesota’s cannabis market, empowering the OCM to ensure compliance. Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.09, subdivision 4 prohibits the retail sale of cannabis flower and cannabis products “without a license issued under this chapter that authorizes the sale.” The OCM reiterated its stance on flower that is being sold by retailers without a license. “Our primary goal at the Office of Cannabis Management is to ensure a safe, legal cannabis industry that protects public health and provides accurate, reliable information to adult consumers,” said Charlene Briner, OCM interim director. “This interagency agreement gives us capacity to conduct inspections during this transitional implementation period, and more fully integrates the work of the MDH inspectors who will eventually transition their work to OCM.” MDH inspectors who inspect retailers selling legal hemp-derived cannabinoid products will begin simultaneous examination of w flower products being offered for sale to ensure those products are hemp and not cannabis. “While this is a temporary issue that will no longer exist once businesses are licensed to sell cannabis flower, OCM’s commitment to ensuring an industry that abides by all legal requirements is steadfast and ongoing,” said Briner. “We are confident that by providing clear expectations and guidance to businesses, the majority of operators will choose to follow the law.” The crackdown of raw flower products will mean that inspectors will look for the product’s certificate of analysis for test results on total THC. Per federal law and under the 2018 Farm Bill, hemp flower must contain 0.3% or less of delta-9 THC on a dry weight basis. Products exceeding 0.3% delta-9 THC in dry weight are considered marijuana and are therefore illegal to sell. So what are the penalties involved for sellers of illegal flower? Retailers caught selling flower and who are in violation of the law could be faced with embargo of product and fines of up to $1 million for violating state law. Additionally, a violation could impact a person’s ability to receive a license for a cannabis business in the future.  Per Minnesota Statutes, 342.09, subdivision 6, OCM may assess fines in excess of $1 million for violations of this law. Likewise, under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 342.19, OCM is empowered to embargo any product that it has “probable cause to believe . . . is being distributed in violation of this chapter or rules adopted under this chapter[.]” The OCM encourages retailers to vet products that they are selling to ensure that the products are legal. The OCM has sent a letter to all retailers registered with MDH to alert them that inspections of raw flower will begin immediately. In a December 2023 bulletin, Minnesota’s health department issued a similar warning, noting that the agency inspected 167 retailers offering hemp-derived cannabinoid products between August and November and found that more than one in three (39%) of the shops were selling illegal high-potency products. Under Minnesota law, hemp edibles and beverages sold in the state must not exceed 5 milligrams of THC per serving and no more than 50 milligrams per package. Licensing for cannabis retailers is expected to roll out later this year, and state officials aim to launch cannabis sales in 2025.
https://hightimes.com/

Arizona AG Says Hemp-Synthesized Intoxicants Can’t Be Sold at Non-Dispensaries

Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes recently issued a formal legal opinion on March 11, which addressed a question sent by Sen. Steve Montenegro and Sen. T.J. Shope, which inquired if selling delta-8 THC products (which also covers delta-10 products and any other “hemp-synthesized intoxicants”) at smoke shops or convenience stores violates state law. Mayes’ summary answer immediately responds to the presented question. “No, Arizona law does not permit the sale of delta-8 and other hemp-synthesized intoxicants by entities that have not been licensed by Health Services,” Mayes wrote. “Irrespective of delta-8’s arguable federal legality under the 2018 Agriculture Improvement Act (“Farm Bill”), Arizona continues to define and regulate “industrial hemp” in a manner that precludes the sale of hemp-synthesized intoxicants in convenience stores, smoke shops, and other unlicensed locales.” The opinion sets up an analysis supported with background history of cannabis in Arizona, starting with medical cannabis legalization in 2010, the effects of the 2018 Farm Bill, the state’s legalization of industrial hemp for some purposes (also in 2018), and the following surge in delta-8 THC products. Mayes also utilizes Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concerns about unregulated delta-8 THC. The FDA previously said that “[s]ome manufacturers may use potentially unsafe household chemicals to make delta-8 THC through this chemical synthesis process,” and “[t]he final delta-8 THC product may have potentially harmful by-products (contaminants) due to the chemicals used in the process.” Further accounts claim unsanitary settings where products are processed, calling it a “’quite a soup’ of by-products and other unwanted compounds.” Also, Mayes includes that the FDA has received 104 reports regarding adverse effects of delta-8 THC product consumption between December 2020-February 2022, as well as 2,362 “exposure cases” involving delta-8. Following this, Mayes begins the analysis portion of the legal opinion. “You have asked this Office to examine whether entities that do not possess a license to sell cannabis products by Health Services can lawfully sell products containing delta-8 THC or similar hemp-synthesized intoxicants,” Mayes wrote. “The answer to that question depends on whether products containing hemp-synthesized intoxicants constitute ‘controlled substances\’ and/or ‘industrial hemp’ under Arizona law. As explained below, we conclude that state law prevents entities not appropriately licensed by Health Services from selling products containing hemp-synthesized intoxicants like delta-8 THC.” Mayes cites that delta-8 THC products are listed as a controlled substance in Arizona, and that the state’s industrial hemp program “does not exempt hemp-synthesized intoxicants from Health Services’ regulation.” State law defines cannabis as “all parts of any plant of the genus cannabis whether growing or not, and the seeds of such plant.” Mayes included a 2019 court case, State v. Jones, in which the Supreme Court ruled on whether the state definition of cannabis also applies to hashish or cannabis extracts, to determine if medical cannabis patients are protected if they use extracts instead of dried cannabis flower. “‘All parts’ refers to all constituent elements of the marijuana plant, and the fact the resin must first be extracted from the plant reflects that it is part of the plant,” the ruling stated. However, Mayes explained that this case does not apply to delta-8. “Jones’ plain import is that because [Arizona Medical Marijuana Act] legalized marijuana—an intoxicating substance—for certain purposes, it must be understood to have legalized a materially similar intoxicating extract of marijuana. Nothing in the case’s holding or reasoning supports its extension to the synthesis of an intoxicating product from a non-intoxicating product.” Finally, the opinion ends with a final point that although the industrial hemp law was incorporated into federal law, it does not legalize delta-8 THC products. Mayes concludes her opinion and reiterates that delta-8 THC products, as well as other hemp-synthesized intoxicants, can’t legally be sold by unlicensed sellers. “Arizona’s 2018 industrial hemp law did not create an exception to these laws,” she wrote. “Rather, in contrast to the federal Farm Bill, the industrial hemp law omitted hemp ‘extracts’ and ‘derivatives’ from the definition of industrial hemp and expressly provided that the State wished to ‘maintain strict control of marijuana.’ Delta-8’s sale by unlicensed entities like convenience stores and smoke shops is therefore unlawful.” The Arizona Mirror spoke with Jonathan Udell, Arizona NORML communications director, about Mayes’ legal opinion, stating that she is giving the state’s cannabis industry a monopoly. “This is Attorney General Mayes giving the marijuana industry something that the legislature would not,” Udell said. “It’s a disappointing outcome.” Udell provided an example, explaining that the Arizona Dispensaries Association (ADA) has introduced legislation in the past to regulate hemp-derived THC products by banning sales of such products or making it legal to sell them only at licensed dispensaries. According to a campaign finance report obtained by the Arizona Mirror, the ADA provided $40,000 to a political committee that spent approximately $367,000 in order to assist Mayes in getting elected to her position. ADA executive director, Ann Torez, sent a statement to the news outlet, approving of Mayes’ opinion. “We believe it reflects the intent of Arizona’s voters and most importantly is in the best interest of public health and safety,” Torez said. Additionally, the Arizona Mirror spoke with Phoenix-based attorney Tom Dean, who claims that Mayes’ legal opinion is very similar to a rebuttal of a legal analysis that he provided last year. “It’s just yet another example of what I think is a wrongheaded approach to marijuana policy in general,” Dean said. He added that Mayes’ opinion isn’t legally binding, and a lawsuit would be necessary in order to pursue a legal conclusion to the argument.
https://hightimes.com/

Study Shows 11% Of High School Seniors Use Delta 8 THC

More than one in 10 high school seniors reported recent use of products with delta 8 THC, according to the results of a study published this week. The study found that approximately 11% of 12th-grade students said that they had used delta 8 during the past year, reflecting the widespread availability of the hemp-derived cannabinoid that is sometimes referred to as “diet weed” or “light THC.” The new research analyzed data from the Monitoring the Future survey, an ongoing study of the behaviors, attitudes and values of adolescents and young adults funded by the National Institutes of Health. The analysis showed that 11.4% of high school seniors had used delta 8 THC products in the last year. Of the 295 teens who reported using the compound, more than two-thirds (68.1%) said they had used it at least three times, while 35.4% had used it at least 10 times and nearly 17% used it at least 40 times. Nine out of 10 (91%) of delta 8 users also said that they used marijuana. “Eleven percent is a lot of people — that’s at least one or two students in every average-sized high school class who may be using delta-8. We don’t know enough about these drugs, but we see that they are already extremely accessible to teens,” Nora Volkow, director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said in a statement about the research from the agency. “Cannabis use in general has been associated with negative impacts on the adolescent brain, so we must pay attention to the kinds of cannabis products teens are using, educate young people about potential risks, and ensure that treatment for cannabis use disorder and adequate mental health care is provided to those who need it.” The popularity of delta 8 THC skyrocketed after the 2018 Farm Bill legalized hemp at the federal level. Unregulated Delta 8 products were soon available at retailers including convenience stores, gas stations and smoke shops. Delta 8 products are particularly popular in states that have not legalized marijuana for recreational use, a trend that was reflected in data from the new study. About 14% of those in states without cannabis legalization reported delta 8 use, compared to 8% in states with legalization. Dr. Adam Leventhal, executive director of the USC Institute for Addiction Science and one of the authors of the study, said that the new research illustrates how widely available delta 8 products are to young people. “What we hadn’t known prior to this study was to what extent are these products reaching teens, which was a concern because they weren’t being comprehensively regulated,” Leventhal told CNN. The researchers expressed concern that the widespread use of delta 8 by teenagers could lead to developmental issues or other negative effects. The long-term effects of delta 8 THC on teens are not known, although some cannabis research has shown that the drug can negatively impact memory, attention and the ability to learn in young people. “Some of the concerns based on the underlying biology would be, of course, addiction, like what we see with marijuana, some of the neurodevelopmental changes that can happen because the adolescent brain is still forming and exposure to intoxicating substances can interfere with proper development of the brain pathways that support cognition and emotion regulation,” Leventhal said. Jonathan Miller, the general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable, a trade group representing businesses in the hemp industry, said the results of the study were “shocking, but it’s not surprising.” “Our hemp industry is filled with actors who provide good manufacturing practices and truth in labeling and make good efforts to keep intoxicating products out of the hands of minors, but there are unfortunately a lot of bad actors out there,” Miller said in a phone interview on Wednesday. “But the worst actor of all in this is the FDA. The FDA said when the farm bill passed in 2018 that it would take steps to start regulating hemp products and they’ve done nothing. And as a result, we’ve got a wild west.” Miller noted that several states are taking action to regulate delta 8 THC, citing Kentucky as a state taking strong measures to keep intoxicating hemp cannabinoids out of the hands of young people. Until the FDA takes action, it will be up to states to pass rules governing hemp cannabinoids, leaving conscientious businesses with a murky regulatory environment to operate in. Shawn Hauser, a partner at the cannabis and psychedelics law firm Vicente LLP and co-chair of the practice’s Hemp and Cannabinoids Department, said the study’s findings “illustrate the urgent need to federally legalize all cannabis (marijuana and hemp-derived products) with fundamental product safety standards governing product manufacturing, testing, labeling, marketing, etc.” “The hemp market, which is particularly robust in states without marijuana programs, has inflamed the need for federal legalization of all cannabis products that equip state and federal regulators to appropriately protect consumer safety through regulation, enforcement, and consumer education,” Hauser wrote in an email to High Times. “Regulation is more effective than prohibition in keeping cannabis out of the hands of children.”
https://hightimes.com/

Cannabis Flower Won’t Be Included in French Medical Cannabis Program

France is currently working toward the eventual launch of its official medical cannabis program, and a new update from the French National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) recently announced that access to cannabis flower is not currently included. France’s medical cannabis experiment began in August 2021, and 2024 is set to be the last year of the experiment, while patients will only be accepted if they applied prior to March 26, 2024. The official launch of the country’s medical cannabis program is set to occur sometime in 2025. ANSM published an update on Feb. 20, explaining that with an end date for patient applications, there will be an end to access of cannabis flower as well. “Medicines in the form of flowers (flowering tops to be inhaled) will cease to be made available in the coming weeks,” ANSM stated. “Prescribing doctors must therefore gradually stop flower treatment for their patients and not initiate new treatments with this form. Guidelines have been distributed to healthcare professionals.” After March 26, the program will enter a transition period until the official launch of the French medical cannabis program occurs in 2025. For now, ANSM is recommending that healthcare professionals “implement the gradual cessation of flower treatments” for their patients, and not “initiate new flower treatments.” Likewise, ANSM is recommending that patients who utilize cannabis flower to seek out assistance from their medical practitioners to adjust their treatment accordingly. ANSM stated that over the course of the last three years, a total of 3,035 people have participated in the experiment, and 1,842 participants are currently being treated. “The data collected during the first two years of the experiment were evaluated by various studies,” ANSM explained. “They show the effectiveness of medical cannabis in all indications of the experiment, maintained over several months in certain patients, as well as a secure and operational prescription and delivery circuit.” Aurora Cannabis is the only company approved by ANSM to supply cannabis flower for the program, which first began in August 2021. “The first prescriptions of dried medical cannabis as part of the French pilot program are a significant step toward providing access to patients and will support the destigmatization of medical cannabis in France,” Aurora Cannabis CEO Miguel Marin said at the time. Aurora supplied three different types of flower: one high-THC flower, one balanced THC/CBD flower, and one high-CBD flower. On December 26, 2023, the French social security financing law was passed. It established that ANSM would authorize medical cannabis use for five years, meaning that patients will be allowed to continue their medical cannabis prescriptions going forward (minus the access to flower). The decision to end supply of medical cannabis has been met with opposition. According to Business of Cannabis, Dr. Nicholas Authier was involved with the medical cannabis experiment program, and condemns the sudden change. “What surprises us as doctors is the brutality of the decision,” Authier said. “We thought we would have time to gradually stop therapy. Stopping a treatment taken for several years cannot be done over two weeks, but over several months. This could have a significant impact on the pain felt by patients.” Currently, it is unclear if medical cannabis flower will be brought back after the program officially launches in 2025. According to the French government, it “is explained by the wish of the manufacturer [Aurora Cannabis] not to continue the supply of products.” All flower provided by Aurora Cannabis during the pilot program was free, so it makes sense that the company would want to cease providing free flower now that the experiment is ending. While France continues to work out its anticipated medical cannabis program, the German parliament recently legalized adult-use cannabis. As of April 1, the law allows anyone over 18 to possess cannabis in public up to 25 grams, or up to 50 grams at home. After July 1, cannabis social clubs will be available only to German consumers, and each club can serve up to 500 members. The clubs will be allowed to grow and distribute cannabis to its members, but currently the clubs are the only source of access for consumers. There are not licensed shops or pharmacies that consumers will be able to purchase cannabis from. However, adults are permitted to grow up to three cannabis plants per household. Germany is now the third European country to legalize adult-use cannabis. The first was Malta, which legalized both use and possession in December 2021, followed by Luxembourg in June 2023. Cannabis brands in the U.S. have invested interest in expanding into Europe as cannabis becomes legalized. Recently, U.S.-based edibles company, Wana Brands announced a partnership with Alpen Group, which is a vertically integrated company based in Switzerland. “Since Wana Brands was established in Colorado’s budding market in 2010, our mission has been to pioneer our presence in emerging markets. This vision has now taken us across the Atlantic to Switzerland, marking 14 years of expansive growth. Our collaboration with Alpen Group, a company that mirrors our commitment to quality, positions us to become the pioneering American cannabis edibles brand in the European Union’s adult-use market,” said co-founder and CEO of Wana Brands, Nancy Whiteman.
https://hightimes.com/

New Orleans Police Say Rats Are Eating Weed Stored in Evidence Room

Police officials in New Orleans this week told a city council committee that rats have taken over the department’s downtown headquarters, saying that the rodents have been eating marijuana stored in an evidence room. Anne Kirkpatrick, the superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department, told the city leaders at a meeting on Monday that the rats are apparently enjoying the food source sitting in an evidence room at police headquarters. “The rats are eating our marijuana,” Kirkpatrick said, according to a report from online news source NOLA.com. “They’re all high.” The superintendent was reporting to the council committee on the condition of aging police facilities around New Orleans. In addition to eating drugs in the evidence room, rats are reportedly found throughout the building, spreading feces across the desks of police officers and other department workers. The building is also infested with cockroaches, Kirkpatrick reported. The department’s problems at police headquarters are not limited to pests. The building also has mold and elevators, HVAC equipment and plumbing that are old and deteriorating.  An NOPD veteran speaking to a reporter anonymously said that the downtown police headquarters has been infested with rats throughout his almost two decades with the department. He also noted that some officers report coughing or sneezing after visiting the moldy building, which has served the police department since 1968. “It’s horrible. I don’t think it ever recovered from Katrina, to be honest,” the officer said, referring to the 2005 hurricane that devastated New Orleans. “The basement was full (of flood water). You get a lot of rodents that climb through the walls. Some things you just can’t get to, so there has always been some type of rodent, bugs, rats, mice, whatever.” The police department has been asking for a new headquarters since before the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2019, the department asked for $39 million to build a new base of operations, but the project was not funded by the city council.  Kirkpatrick, who took over as superintendent in October after moving to New Orleans from the West Coast, renewed the push for a new department headquarters, a source told NOLA.com. Kirkpatrick was “adamant” about a new facility for the department’s officers and staff of 400 who work at the aging building.  At Monday’s meeting, Kirkpatrick described the building as a “turn-off” to prospective employee transfers from other areas as well as the personnel that already work there. “It’s not OK, and it’s not OK for people to be treated that way and be called valued,” she said. The superintendent also noted that the poor condition of police facilities goes beyond the department’s downtown home. “It is not just at police headquarters. It is all the districts. The uncleanliness is off the charts,” Kirkpatrick told the council members on the committee. “The janitorial cleaning [team] deserves an award, trying to clean what is uncleanable.” Kirkpatrick was at the meeting to ask for the committee’s approval of a proposal to house the department on two floors of a new high-rise in downtown New Orleans for 10 years while a plan for a permanent facility is developed. The committee approved a motion to authorize the move, sending the plan to the full council for a vote. Gilbert Montaño, the city’s chief administrative officer, described the headquarters move as a “Herculean lift.” Once the headquarters has been temporarily relocated, additional buildings in the downtown justice complex will also be vacated. “I foresee most of the criminal justice agencies will have to be temporarily housed as we address these old decrepit buildings,” said Montaño, according to a report from The Guardian. “Right now, we are addressing police headquarters because it is in dire straits.” The problem with rodents eating weed being stored as police evidence is not new. In addition to the report from New Orleans, police departments in South America and Asia have reported similar stories of hungry rodents fiending on pot, The Guardian noted. In 2018, the outlet reported that eight police officers in Argentina were fired after they reported that mice had eaten nearly 1,000 pounds of pot that had disappeared from a police warehouse about 35 miles away from Buenos Aires.  “Buenos Aires University experts have explained that mice wouldn’t mistake the drug for food, and that if a large group of mice had eaten it, a lot of corpses would have been found in the warehouse,” a spokesperson for a judge who was reviewing the case said at the time. Four years later, CNN reported a story from northern India, where rats had allegedly eaten more than 1,100 pounds of weed that had been seized from pot dealers and stored in a police warehouse. “Rats are small animals, and they aren’t scared of the police,” an official told a court in Uttar Pradesh.
https://hightimes.com/

Washington To Do Away With 37% Medical Cannabis Tax

Lawmakers in Washington State “recently passed a bill granting an exemption from the 37% excise tax for medical marijuana patients and designated providers,” according to Forbes. The passage of the measure eliminates  what has been characterized as “one of the highest tax rates imposed on medical marijuana products.”  The bill, HB 1453, was originally introduced last year.  Per an official legislative summary of the proposal, the bill aimed to provide “a tax exemption from the 37 percent cannabis excise tax for qualifying patients and designated providers with a recognition card on purchases of cannabis products that are labeled as Department of Health (DOH) compliant product and tested in accordance with the DOH’s rules.” “There is levied and collected a cannabis excise tax equal to 37 percent of the selling price on each retail sale in Washington of cannabis concentrates, useable cannabis, and cannabis-infused products. This tax is separate and in addition to general state and local sales and use taxes that apply to retail sales of tangible personal property, and is not part of the total retail price to which general state and local sales and use taxes apply,” the summary said. “The tax must be reflected in the price list or quoted shelf price in the licensed cannabis retail store and in any advertising that includes prices for all cannabis products. All revenues collected from the cannabis excise tax must be deposited each day in the Dedicated Cannabis Account.” The summary continued: “A tax exemption is provided to qualifying patients and designated providers who hold a recognition card, from the 37 percent cannabis excise tax, on their purchases of cannabis products that are labeled as a Department of Health (DOH) compliant product and tested in accordance with the DOH’s rules. Each seller making exempt sales must maintain information establishing eligibility for the exemption in the form and manner required by the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB). The LCB must provide a separate tax reporting line on the excise tax form for exemption amounts claimed.” The Seattle law firm Harris Sliwoski provided more background on the measure and its journey through the Washington legislature, noting that the 37 percent tax imposed an unnecessary burden on patients. “On March 6, 2024, the Washington Senate passed HB 1453 which will provide an exemption from the 37% excise tax for medical cannabis patients and designated providers. The bill now waits for signatures and executive action to become law. First introduced in 2023, HB 1453 sought to harmonize the existing medical exemptions from general sales and use taxes with the 37% excise tax on cannabis sales,” the law firm explained. “Medical cannabis patients and providers face a significant financial burden when patients and providers are unfairly taxed the same as recreational consumers. Primarily, medical cannabis is not recreational or a luxury, but a necessity for many people who suffer from chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and other conditions. Medical cannabis is often the only effective treatment that allows them to function and improve their quality of life. Medical cannabis patients and providers must already jump through additional regulatory hoops to stay compliant with the LCB and the DOH and the imposition of additional taxes only exacerbates this hardship. Medical cannabis patients and providers follow strict rules and guidelines to access the medicine not required by recreational cannabis users and providers, and it is unjust to further penalize those medical patients and providers.” As the firm pointed out, the 37% tax was all the more onerous given that medical cannabis is both “already expensive and not covered by insurance or public health programs.” “Adding a tax aimed at recreational sales on top of that makes it even more unaffordable for many patients who are already struggling financially. This can force them to reduce their dosage, switch to cheaper but less effective products, or even turn to the recreational market which does not have the same DOH requirements and compliance standards,” the firm said. “Taxing medical cannabis patients the same as recreational consumers is a form of discrimination that harms their health and well-being. It also goes against the principle of harm reduction, which is one basis of medical cannabis legalization policy.” The bill will now head to the desk of Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee. If he adds his signature, the bill “will take effect ninety (90) days after the adjournment of the current legislative session and will provide medical cannabis patients and providers a much-needed tax exemption for their medicine,” Harris Sliwoski said. “Washington lawmakers have finally acknowledged that medical cannabis should be treated as a medicine, not a commodity, and exempted from the 37% excise tax along with the current exemption from general and local sales and use taxes,” the firm added. 
https://hightimes.com/

Connecticut To Show Price Per Gram of Flower Online

Connecticut’s Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) published a new dataset, showing the price per gram of “usable cannabis” sold in the state’s adult-use cannabis and medical marijuana markets, according to a March 11 press release.  The dataset’s category “usable cannabis” essentially means flower and includes raw flower in whole, ground, or pre-rolled form, without additional extracted materials. Currently, a gram of cannabis in California is hovering around $12 per gram, which is slightly up from years prior. The Register Citizen reports that the average price per gram of cannabis in Connecticut has increased steadily for months since October 2023, when the cost of cannabis was at $9.68 per gram—its lowest since adult-use sales kicked off in the state. The price of flower in Connecticut has increased, going from an average of $11.93 per gram in January to $12.28 per gram in February.  “In February, the average price per gram of usable cannabis was $12.28,” the announcement reads. “The new dataset includes data collected since the market opened in January 2023.” According to High Times Trans-High Market Quotations in the March issue, which does not track the price per gram, the average price of an ounce across America was $296. This means that when you’re buying in bulk, the average price per gram dips to around $10. The state recorded $15.6 million in adult-use cannabis sales during the month of February, plus an additional $9.4 million in medical cannabis sales, for a total of $25 million in total cannabis sales, state data shows. It represents a $2.6 million decrease in total cannabis sales from January, when sales were down $2.6 million from the previous month.  The dataset was added as part of the Department’s monthly data release, which to date has included total retail sales, number of products sold, average product price, and types of products sold. The most recent data for each dataset have also been published in accordance with the Department’s monthly cannabis data schedule. The data will continue to be updated monthly on or after the 10th of each month. Going forward, DCP will make announcements when new datasets have been made publicly available, and the DCP will no longer issue monthly press releases related to existing datasets. Reporters and members of the public who are interested in new monthly data published to existing datasets should check ct.gov/cannabis monthly on the 10th or the first business day after the 10th of each month. The data does not include taxes collected at the point of sale on adult-use transactions, and medical cannabis patients do not pay taxes. Last November, Connecticut regulators doubled the amount of adult-use cannabis consumers can purchase in a single transaction. Connecticut’s cannabis regulatory agency announced an increase in the amount of cannabis that can be bought in a single transaction by doubling the state’s limit on recreational marijuana purchases. Under the new regulations approved by the DCP, adult-use cannabis consumers are permitted to purchase up to a half-ounce (about 14 grams) of cannabis flower or its equivalent beginning next month.  The limit on purchases of medical marijuana has not been changed. It remains at 5 ounces of cannabis flower or the equivalent monthly, with no limits on purchases in a single transaction. “DCP has continually reviewed available supply and demand since prior to the launch of the adult-use cannabis industry in January 2023,” DCP Commissioner Bryan T. Cafferelli said in a statement from the agency. “As more retailers, production companies and other supply chain licensees have come online, the capacity of the industry has increased. We are confident this measured approach to adult-use sales has resulted in a healthy market for businesses, and a safe and fair marketplace for adult-use cannabis consumers and medical marijuana patients.” Connecticut collects data through BioTrack, the state’s Seed-to-Sale Tracking System, a real-time inventory system used to track an individual cannabis plant from the point it is planted as a seed or clone to the point of sale. All medical and adult-use cannabis licensees are required to input data into this system, showing the movement of cannabis products as they are grown, manufactured, tested, and ultimately sold. (Information about the person who purchases the final cannabis product is not recorded.)  Connecticut officials record cannabis sales data every month, so you can map the steady march of adult-use cannabis sales by looking at month-to-month sales on one of their many graphics. DCP does not make revenue projections, set sales expectations, collect taxes, nor do they regulate prices. The DCP also provides information to protect consumers from common scams and other threats.
https://hightimes.com/

New Study Reveals Ayahuasca Has Potential To Treat Stress-Related Disorders

A study published in the British Journal of Pharmacology last month explored how ayahuasca (shortened to AYA for the use in this study) and DMT interacts with serotonin receptors in the part of the brain that regulates fear. The authors explained that ayahuasca has been found to be useful in treating humans for depression, trauma, and drug use disorders, but little research has been conducted regarding how ayahuasca affects specific parts of the brain. Researchers specifically sought to examine ayahuasca’s effects on aversive memories, or negative memories. Specifically, the study shows evidence of ayahuasca affecting fear memory extinction. While all living things develop a response to a stressful or fear-induced situation, fear memory extinction is when the subject’s response to a recurring stimulus is decreased over time. Study author Leandro Jose Bertoglio, who is a professor of pharmacology at the Federal University of Santa Catarina in Brazil, told Psypost.org about the study approach. “Our rodent lab investigates the brain and molecular mechanisms underlying memory formation during threatening or stressful experiences. We focus on developing pharmacological approaches to weaken the expression of aversive memories,” Bertoglio said. “Collaborators within our network are studying ayahuasca, a popular brew in Brazil and the Amazon, for its potential to treat depression and ethanol dependence. Given our expertise in fear extinction—the process where a neutral memory suppresses an aversive one—we are exploring ayahuasca’s impact on this process. The extinction likely forms the biological foundation for some psychotherapies.” The study included 331 Wistar rats, which commonly exhibit freezing behavior in response to fear. Researchers applied a fear condition procedure twice per day, which would cause the rats to freeze, and recorded the amount of time that they froze to determine the fear extinction. Over time, they provided varying levels of ayahuasca to the rats. The effects of ayahuasca were consistent with both on rats with 1-day-old memories, as well as those with 21-day-old memories, of the fear conditioning. Results show that all of these rats exhibited some form of fear extinction, even when different ayahuasca doses were administered. Researchers explained that serotonin receptors (5-HT2A and 5-HT1A) in the part of the brain that manages fear, the infralimbic cortex, were being activated during ayahuasca use, and thus affecting fear extinction. “Orally administered ayahuasca accelerates fear extinction and its retention in female and male rats,” Bertoglio continued. “This effect is associated with N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and involves the activation of two serotonin receptor subtypes (5-HT1A and 5-HT2A) in the infralimbic cortex. This brain region, homologous to the ventromedial prefrontal cortex in humans, is crucial in regulating memory extinction.” There are many studies that showcase the evidence of 5-HT2A receptor as it interacts with the use of psychedelic substances, but there is less known about the 5-HT1A receptor and how it interacts with psychedelics. “Compared to the 5-HT2A receptor, the participation of the 5-HT1A receptor in the effects of ayahuasca and other classical serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD) has been less explored,” Bertoglio explained. “Our research aimed to elucidate the role of both receptors, demonstrating that DMT’s action on both 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors contributes to enhanced fear extinction.” Researchers concluded that ayahuasca facilitates “behavioral suppression of aversive memories in the rat infralimbic cortex,” which also suggests that both ayahuasca and DMT could be used to treat specific stress-related disorders. According to Bertoglio, this research will open the door for more opportunities in the future to explore how psychedelics can affect long term fear memories, such as those suffered by post-traumatic stress disorder patients. “Our goal is to advance understanding of how and where psychedelic substances act when modulating the expression and persistence of aversive memories,” Bertoglio concluded. “These studies foster collaborations and their findings encourage related studies with humans.” Personal accounts of patients seeking out ayahuasca treatment experiences have spoken out about the benefits they received. Heavyweight boxer and Olympic medalist, Deontay Wilder, recently spoke out in December 2023 about how he was “reborn” after experiencing ayahuasca treatment in Costa Rica. “Ah man, ayahuasca has been… man it’s been one of the top things in my life that I’m glad that I’ve experienced,” Wilder said. “One of the best journeys to experience, it’s been a beautiful thing for me and if you ask my wife [Telli Swift] she’ll say that it made me more sensitive, and she’s probably right, but it also made me happier as well.” Other psychedelic substances are also being praised for providing unique benefits to patients, and the public opinion of psychedelics is quickly becoming mainstream. A recent study published in the American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience this week found that nine out of every 10 Americans approve of psilocybin being administered in a controlled setting with the intention of treating specific conditions. Another recent study published in Neuroscience Applied shows that psilocybin can actually reduce a person’s response to “angry facial expressions.” Researchers examined the amygdala part of the brain that regulates emotions. “We found that [the] amygdala response to angry faces was significantly reduced during exposure to psilocybin as compared to baseline, whereas no significant changes in amygdala responses to fearful or neutral faces were observed,” the authors wrote.
https://hightimes.com/

Study Explores the Positive Effects of Free Cannabis Donations

Last week, a new study published in the Harm Reduction Journal reported that donating cannabis for free could be a successful method of harm reduction in the U.S. Entitled “Cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy: a case study” claims to be the first of its kind to study the benefits of giving away weed for free. The team was made up of five researchers from RTI International, Rutgers University’s School of Social Work, and San Francisco General Hospital. According to the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marihuana Act, giving away up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis (or up to 15 grams of concentrate) is legal as long as the recipient is over 21 and “as long as the transfer is not advertised or promoted to the public.” Researchers analyzed a harm reduction program and studied administrative data between September 2021-May 2023. Ten program participants who were “cannabis-experienced,” and received donations weekly, or via delivery, were the focus of the study. The program staff were permitted to determine “client interest and appropriateness” when providing the cannabis donations, which could be done if there is excess product, or “especially when they have personal experience using cannabis to mitigate the dangers of the substance.” Cannabis donations are largely unregulated, staff are trained to provide cannabis to those in need. “While the policies surrounding the regulation and distribution of cannabis can still present barriers towards this practice, harm reduction staff working in the field see the potential benefits of cannabis, which include reduced premature death, improved quality of life, pain moderation, increased recovery outcomes, and improved safety for clients and community,” researchers wrote of their conclusion. One staff member described a person who was 50 or older had spinal fusion neck surgery, which included the addition of “two steel rods, three connectors, and six bolts” five months after the study began. “Before the surgery, this person had not used opioids for two years (as evidenced by criminal legal mandated urine drug screens) but reported frequent struggles in denying himself alcohol,” researchers explained. “With their use of the products donated by this program, this individual reported complete abstinence from alcohol while recovering from their surgery and since. They expressed gratitude for topical pain relief with cannabis pain cream, cannabis vape cartridges, and flower for smoking.” Another example was provided regarding a pregnant woman in her 20s, and was a “methamphetamine and opioid dependent injector” when the study began. “She reported that with the use of products donated in this program, she used methamphetamine and opioids less frequently, and actively worked with harm reduction agency staff to get on [medications for opioid use disorder] while pregnant.” Researchers noted, however, that this study was not designed to assess the outcome of the program, but instead the goal was to describe how the program works in a state that has legal provisions to allow such donations. Study authors also explained that cannabis flower products make up a large margin of adult-use and medical cannabis sales, but “edible, oil, and topical products predominated donations.” “Further, cost analysis suggests that donations represent only 1% of total gross sales and account for much less than the expected yearly donation amount.” The study points out that the revenue loss is minimal. Overall, study authors concluded that more research should be conducted in order to further define the benefits of harm reduction programs like the one in Michigan. “Research suggests there is potential to reduce alcohol and drug use related harms of more dangerous substances through substitution with cannabis,” the researchers wrote. “Findings from this case study provide a starting point for inquiry into cannabis donation as a harm reduction strategy in the US; future research is needed to fully understand the individual-level outcomes, public health impacts, necessary legal regulations, and best practices for cannabis donation programs through harm reduction organizations.” Michigan’s Cannabis Regulatory Agency announced in January that the state has collected a total of $3.06 billion in cannabis sales in 2023. By that amount, the dollar amount of cannabis products per person would come out to an estimated $305 (in California, the per capita amount is approximately $150, for example).  Many other studies that have been conducted over the past decade point to the effectiveness of cannabis as a medicine. Authors of one such study, which was published in February, urge the importance of implementing a regulatory framework to support the use of cannabinoids as an opioid alternative. “Based on a comprehensive review of the literature and epidemiological evidence to date, cannabinoids stand to be one of the most interesting, safe, and accessible tools available to attenuate the devastation resulting from the misuse and abuse of opioid narcotics,” researchers wrote. “Considering the urgency of the opioid epidemic and broadening of cannabinoid accessibility amidst absent prescribing guidelines, the authors recommend use of this clinical framework in the contexts of both clinical research continuity and patient care.”
https://hightimes.com/

MedMen Reportedly Closes All But Two California Locations

According to multiple reports late last week, MedMen has shuttered all but two of its stores in California. “Only MedMen stores in San Diego and near Los Angeles International Airport remain open,” MJBizDaily reported on Friday.  Green Market Report, citing a former staffer at the company, reported that “[although] no one connected with MedMen’s corporate headquarters could be reached for comment, the chain had a small fire sale to unload product this past week prior to closing down.” The outlet has more on MedMen’s precipitous decline: “The report of more closures follows a series of troubling developments for the company, including a string of earlier dispensaries closing down – including MedMen’s flagship store in West Hollywood in February, then its shops in San Jose and Emeryville the same month, and just this week, the company closed its San Francisco location. The news also follows a string of C-suite departures, with ex-CEO Ellen Deutsch Harrison resigning in January after less than seven months on the job.” MJBizDaily, meanwhile, has specific figures on the number of jobs lost: “The cash-strapped company operated more than a dozen stores in the state before the latest round of closures. The Los Angeles-based MSO on Thursday closed its San Francisco store in the Cow Hollow neighborhood, Medmen’s last remaining outlet in the Bay Area, according to SFist. The store opened only two years ago, the news outlet reported. MedMen, which has closed several other stores and laid off dozens of workers in California, Illinois and Nevada in the past month, shuttered its Long Beach location last week, MJBizDaily confirmed Friday. The Long Beach location had about 10 employees, according to a former staffer. The company has laid off more than 100 employees since Jan. 26, according to MJBizDaily reporting, including a round of corporate layoffs in MedMen’s accounting and marketing departments.” Both outlets noted that MedMen’s official website has been down since last week. On Monday morning, visitors to the site were met with an image of a man lounging on his back poolside, with the message: “We’ll Be Back Soon Sorry, we’re down for scheduled maintenence. In the meantime, connect with us on social.” The company has not posted on its Instagram account since January. Its last post on Facebook was in 2022. In 2019, MedMen scrapped plans for a major acquisition. Alarmed by plunging cannabis stocks, the company “backed out of a blockbuster deal to buy PharmaCann, a Chicago-based marijuana company with operations in eight states,” the Associated Press reported at the time. A year earlier, MedMen announced its plans to acquire PharmaCann for $682 million in an all-stock transaction. In a press release at the time, MedMen said that the resulting “pro-forma company (including pending acquisitions by MedMen) will have a portfolio of cannabis licenses in 12 states that will permit the combined company to operate 79 cannabis facilities.”  “The combined company will operate in 12 states, which comprise a total estimated addressable market, as of 2030, of approximately $40 billion according to Cowen Group. Through the transaction, MedMen will add licenses in Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Virginia and Michigan,” the press release said. The deal was supposed to be a watershed moment for the cannabis industry, with the AP noting that it “was seen as a forerunner of a wave of marijuana industry mergers and acquisitions promising big returns for investors.” Adam Bierman, MedMen’s CEO at the time, called it “a transformative acquisition that will create the largest U.S. cannabis company in the world’s largest cannabis market.”  “The transaction adds tremendous scale to our vertically integrated business model by expanding our U.S. retail footprint across important growth markets while strengthening our cultivation and production capabilities. With the revenue synergies that the deal is expected to produce, MedMen is well positioned to continue executing on our growth strategy,” said Bierman, who stepped down in his role as chief executive in early 2020. “This would not have been possible even two years ago and is a testament to how far both the industry and these two companies have evolved. PharmaCann’s leadership has built a world-class organization, and we are excited about the value this transaction is creating for shareholders.” But by the fall of 2019, MedMen was singing a very different tune. According to the Associated Press, the company “cited the steep pullback in U.S. and Canadian cannabis stocks this year,” and “noted the Horizons Marijuana Life Sciences Index, a Canadian exchange-traded fund that tracks cannabis stocks, is down 47% since March.” “The underperformance has made it increasingly more critical to allocate capital efficiently, given the current industry headwinds,” MedMen said in a news release, as quoted by the Associated Press.
https://hightimes.com/

Study: 9 in 10 Americans Say Psilocybin Use for Therapy, Well-Being Is ‘Morally Positive’

As the modern-day psychedelic renaissance continues to press on, with myriad research and individual cases showing the merit behind innovative treatments like psilocybin-assisted therapies, it’s hard to deny the potential of this emerging solution.  But as psychedelic reform continues to ripple throughout the nation, what exactly do Americans think of this new therapeutic option? According to a new study published in the American Journal of Bioethics Neuroscience, it appears that most Americans are on board. The research examined the “moral status” of psilocybin, with nearly 9 in 10 Americans ultimately reporting that they approve of psilocybin’s use in a controlled, licensed setting to treat specific conditions or promote general well-being.  Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in “magic mushrooms,” is still a Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act. The categorization deems that these substances have no currently accepted medical use and high potential for abuse. Study authors note that psilocybin is often thought to be physiologically safer than many of the regularly prescribed drugs on the market, non-habit forming and effective to treat a number of psychiatric conditions in combination with psychotherapy. The authors also note increasing literature finding that psilocybin can have a variety of neuropsychological effects, like increasing prosocial attitudes, mindfulness and overall improved psychosocial functioning. With the FDA’s recent move granting psilocybin with a “breakthrough therapy status” to use in major depressive disorder and treatment-resistant depression, alongside states increasingly moving to introduce psychedelic reform measures, researchers took a closer look at the perceived “morality” surrounding the medicinal use of psilocybin. The study included perspectives from 795 participants aged 18 to 92 who were demographically representative of American citizens. Researchers provided participants basic information around psilocybin and background surrounding the recent Oregon law that legalized psilocybin for personal use in supervised settings. They were also asked to imagine a similar law being passed at the federal level. Researchers then assigned participants one of two vignettes about an individual taking psilocybin with the supervision of a trained professional — one scenario using psilocybin to combat treatment-resistant depression (treatment) and another to improve overall well being (enhancement).  Participants were also provided with accurate information stating that psilocybin has been shown to be “medically safe and non-addictive if administered in an appropriately controlled setting, both for those with certain mental health disorders and for healthy individuals.” Finally, participants were asked to “morally evaluate” the supervised use of the compound. Overall, participants showed “strong bipartisan support” for both treatment (89%) or enhancement (85%).  Researchers found that approval was slightly reduced among older and conservative participants, though support for treatment was “very high” in both political affiliations: 91% of liberals and 86% of conservatives showed favorable attitudes surrounding psilocybin use for treatment. The use of psilocybin for enhancement had slightly less support: 89% of liberals and 78% of conservatives approved of its use for overall well-being. “Across conditions, favorable attitudes toward controlled psilocybin use were linked to the moral foundation of care, suggesting that a concern for both patients’ and non-patients’ well-being underlies the tendency to approve of controlled psilocybin use,” according to the authors. The study notes that participants were not asked about the unsupervised use of psilocybin, “underground” practitioners or other illegal uses — rather, the study was inspired by Oregon’s recent law explicitly focusing on legal and supervised use. In that regard, researchers say that results suggest the U.S. public is generally supportive of psilocybin use for both treatment and wellbeing. “Given such bipartisan positive attitudes, future legislative changes allowing psychedelic use in supervised settings for both purposes, even at the federal level, seem unlikely to trigger major public backlash, assuming similar background information about (known) benefits or risks, which may change over time,” the study says. While researchers caution against the assertion that psilocybin is a “silver bullet for treating mental illness,” especially as we continue to investigate the compound, they recognize that the study findings “suggest that the safe and supervised use of psychedelics under conditions of legalization has the potential to find wide public acceptance.” They continue, “If the field can overcome scientific inaccuracies, pursue rigorous research, and build trust—then psychedelics such as psilocybin may one day be seen as a mainstream means to treat mental illness and possibly also to promote overall well-being.”
https://hightimes.com/

Hemp Fiber Market to Hit Over $50B by 2028, Report Indicates

The hemp-derived fiber market is growing exponentially. The Business Research Company, a global market research and consulting firm located across the globe, updated its reports with latest data on hemp fiber for 2024 and projections up to 2033, and the projections look promising. The Business Research Company’s “Hemp Fiber Global Market Report 2024” was published on March 8 and provides a comprehensive source of information that covers every facet of the market. According to the TBRC’s market forecast, the hemp fiber market size is predicted to reach $50.38 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.0%. The growth in the hemp fiber market is due to increasing legalization to cultivate industrial hemp. Asia-Pacific region is expected to hold the largest hemp fiber market share. Major players in the hemp fiber market include Shenyang beijiang, BaFa Holding BV, Plains Industrial Hemp Processing Ltd., Industrial Hemp Manufacturing LLC, Hemp Oil Canada Inc. “Hemp fiber refers to one of the robust members of the family of strong natural fibers, which are generated from the cannabis family’s hemp plant,” the report reads. “The plant’s stem is made up of long strands that are used to make hemp fabric. By using a technique called retting, these fibers are extracted from the bark and then spun together to produce a continuous thread that can be woven into textiles.” The report also identifies what parts of the plant are typically used in the hemp fiber process. “The main types of hemp fiber are long (bast) fibers, and short (core) fibers. The long (bast) hemp fiber market refers to the soft woody fiber obtained from the stems of dicotyledonous plants and is used for textiles and cordage, the report continues. “The different sources include organic and conventional, and are used in food, beverages, personal care products, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and other applications.” Researchers divided hemp fiber market segments by the following parameters: • By Type: Long (bast) Fibers, Short (core) Fibers• By Source: Organic, Conventional• By Application: Food, Beverages, Personal Care Products, Textiles, Pharmaceuticals, Other Applications• By Geography: The global hemp fiber market is segmented into North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Eastern Europe, Western Europe, Middle East and Africa. The market report includes Hemp Fiber Market Characteristic, Hemp Fiber Market Trends And Strategies, Hemp Fiber Market – Macro Economic Scenario, Hemp Fiber Market Size And Growth, Hemp Fiber Market Competitor Landscape And Company Profiles, Key Mergers And Acquisitions In The Market, and many other topics. Every day, people are finding more uses for industrial hemp. (Just refer to the works of Jack Herer, the “Emperor of Hemp.” Architects, for instance, are increasingly relying on hemp as a cleaner, more efficient replacement for traditional home construction materials.  A recently published article by The Cool Down (“America’s mainstream climate brand”) detailed how hemp can be “transformed into a material called hempcrete.” “Hempcrete is a carbon-negative building material made out of hemp, which is increasingly being used in place of concrete. The biocomposite material is created from hemp shiv—the woody core of hemp stalks—and mixed with a binder, such as lime powder, and water,” according to the article. “The result is a tough, adaptable material that can be mixed with varying proportions of hemp and lime depending on its intended purpose. Hemp is constantly proving to be useful in making other materials and products. A Wisconsin-based hemp battery manufacturing company, for instance, created a goal to hire former employees of Energizer. Portage, Wisconsin-based Wisconsin Battery Co. (WinBat) makes batteries out of hemp instead of graphene, for use in devices like hearing aids. Earlier this month, WinBat announced that it has acquired 17 acres of land in the Portage Industrial Park to develop its battery plant, a According to a Dec. 21, 2023 press release, Last October, a variety of hemp plant genetically modified to produce little-to-no THC was approved by the United States Department of Agriculture as safe to grow and breed on U.S. soil.  The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) released a notice about the plants last week, created and submitted by Indiana-based Growing Together Research, a biotechnology company specializing in cannabis, hemp, psychedelics and agriculture. APHIS regulates the “movement of organisms modified or produced through genetic engineering.” “APHIS found this modified hemp is unlikely to pose an increased plant pest risk compared to other cultivated hemp,” the USDA notice said. “As a result, it is not subject to regulation under 7 CFR part 340. From a plant pest risk perspective, this hemp may be safely grown and bred in the United States.”

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